Chandigarh and beyond

Chardigarh seems a bit like Reston, Virginia - a well planned and laid out ciy. There's actually greenspace and wide roads. Amazing. And there was this very modern mall... looked like a mini version of Ballston Mall in Arlington. Got to see the new Harry Potter... we felt as though we deserved to spoil ourselves considering Saraha is still out in the movies in Dhaka.

The Fulbright conference was held at a nice hotel. Fulbrighters from the whole region gathered to discuss their experiences, research, joys and concerns, etc. Some time was spent in groups with people studying similar subjects... Suprisingly, I actually found the conference rather helpful and informative.

One night there was a dinner/dance performance... and we got to get up on stage with the dancers... don't need too many reasons to get down and bhangra... holla...

Gettin' Down
(that's me on the right in the black punjabi)

Chardigarh is known for The Rock Garden, a strange maze of concrete and statues all made of garbage and industrial waste. It looks like place where elves would live... interesting... (I like how garbage cans often say 'use me.')

Nek Chand's Rock Garden in Chandigarh

Before heading back to Delhi then Dhaka, Erin and I trekked up to Amritsar for a night to see the gorgeous Sikh Golden Temple.

Enroute to Amritsar

The Sikh Golden Temple of Amritsar